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Activating Global Cooperation to Preserve an Endangered Reef

Help us bring the USP team back to Naitauba

Submitted by ReefInitiativeTeam on Thu, 09/04/2014 - 02:48

WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW...

At this very moment, we are making arrangements for the USP (University of South Pacific) reef team to return to Naitauba to help us in our mission to monitor, understand, and help preserve Naitauba’s reef.

The team will be visiting Naitauba for two one-week visits approximately four months apart. The first phase of their work will commence during September’s cool weather conditions as they repeat the survey of fish, coral and invertebrate populations at key areas around the reef that they carried out in 2012. This visit, now scheduled for September 10th through 16th, will uncover more about the trends on the reef over the past two years.

The team will return in late January or early February for their second visit, during the Fijian summer, when they will be able to see firsthand how the reef responds to the elevated temperatures, which have been causing localized coral bleaching in recent years.

The USP team during its 2012 visit to Naitauba.

Using an expanded range of survey techniques, they will be identifying vulnerable areas of the reef as well as places that can be sources for re-growth. Based on their research, they will advise us on what we can do, lay the groundwork for active interventions such as transplanting healthy coral into damaged areas, and assist us in developing our own ongoing reef monitoring efforts.

During their 2012 visit, we were all deeply impressed with the reef team’s knowledge, expertise and dedication, and we could feel how much they appreciated the opportunity to visit and study a reef with so many positive life signs.

The USP’s Institute of Marine Resources is cooperating fully with us to make the project possible. They are making the team and its resources available at very reasonable rates, and adjusting their schedule to fit our regular weekly boat trips to minimize travel costs. The combined cost for the two visits will be $US 10,500.

The Naitauba Reef Initiative’s founding donors have already pledged over $3,500 for the project. Please consider supporting us in raising the rest of the funds needed. You can use the link hereto make your donations through the reef website or click directly on the “Donate” tab in the menu. Any and all amounts are welcome.

To show our ongoing appreciation for your support, you will receive a free screen saver featuring a selection of gorgeous underwater photos of the reef – a gift that will serve as a beautiful reminder of Naitauba all year round.

Your support for the reef team’s visit in 2014 will help us develop the strong foundation that we will need to preserve Naitauba’s reef for all the years to come.